TCLA Vacation Scheme Applications Discussion Thread 2024-25

[m.phan]

I just wanted to thank everyone for the openess on this forum. I am a first year law student and is very helpful.

I did some research on some firms and have a question about written exercise. does this website allow personal message and are members ok with personal contact to ask questions? I am sorry I only found this forum recently so i am trying to go through more pages a

 

[Divyani Jethwa]

The truth is, you don’t have to discuss a deal to succeed in an AC. Many firms work on similar deals, so unless the deal you are referencing has a unique aspect to it, then you will find it difficult to show demonstrated interest. If you really want to discuss a deal, you may find it worthwhile considering the below aspects:

• Overview of deal itself.
• Position/effect in market.
• Firm’s advisory role to link to their strength in a specific practice.

NB: This list is non-exhaustive.

Hi Amma,

I was wondering what you would recommend to discuss when asked 'why this firm' in an interview? Do you go for particular talking points each time and how in depth would you recommend going?

 

[Life_of_PFOs]

sorry about the bad news, but if you wouldn't mind me asking what you felt was particularly hard about the AC and if they gave you any feedback

The case study was particularly hard. I had 90 minutes to read 8 pages of information, and prepare a presentation based on what I had read. It was very time-pressured: I barely had time to read through everything.

The rejection email didn't contain any feedback, but I have emailed them to ask for it. I will let you know when they respond.

 

[Kawasaki Kisen Kaisha]

I did an AC last week and I know people have already gotten PFOs or offers very soon after the day they did it but I still haven't heard back. What could this mean?

 

[bsh]

I did an AC last week and I know people have already gotten PFOs or offers very soon after the day they did it but I still haven't heard back. What could this mean?

Doesn’t mean anything in particular I don’t think. Perhaps just that they are still reviewing your performance. I waited over two weeks before getting my VS offer this cycle

 

[josieslawjourney]

Hi! Random stress question, was just checking over my application to Wedlake Bell & realised I'd signed off the cover letter with the wrong application number (the application number I had for my open day application in November, rather than my vs application 😭).

The specific instructions were 'Please sign off the letter with your application reference number rather than your name as Wedlake Bell operates an anonymous application review.'.

Should I contact grad rec about this? Or do I just leave it and hope for the best?

 

[billyonthespeeddial]

I think I did see someone say they have 3 open days so these invites may have just been for the first open day.

Best of luck for Debevoise & Plimpton! 🙂

Just to clarify, this was not just for one Open Day. We were asked to rank the three based on our preference/availability

 

[Andrei Radu]

Hi! Random stress question, was just checking over my application to Wedlake Bell & realised I'd signed off the cover letter with the wrong application number (the application number I had for my open day application in November, rather than my vs application 😭).

The specific instructions were 'Please sign off the letter with your application reference number rather than your name as Wedlake Bell operates an anonymous application review.'.

Should I contact grad rec about this? Or do I just leave it and hope for the best?

I think you should contact them. Recruiters tend to be very understanding with these types of errors and if you do not, you risk them not being able to link your cover letter with the application at all, which could result in an instant rejection.

 

[Chris Brown]

That's not how it works. As I said, Debevoise do not stagger invites. That will be it. They send the email to 90 people and there are 30 places on each open day and you can select your preferred day, allocated on a first-come first-serve basis. I know it is disappointing, but better to be transparent with one another.

Oh right that makes sense. I don’t know how it works for Debevoise & Plimpton as I haven’t applied to that firm. I thought it would have been staggered. My bad. 🙂

I agree it is better to be transparent with each other for sure. Best of luck to everyone who has been invited to the open day/AC! 👌🏾​

 

[AlegalA]

Withers Spring VS Offer!!!!! over the moooonnnnn

Did my interview 22/01 and got an email today

If anyone has any VS advice, more specifically at Withers I would be SO appreciative. This is my first VS and I really really like the firm so would love some tips on turning this into a TC!

 

[bibss]

White & Case AC!! Honestly, I’m shocked 😮😵😭 If anyone has any tips at all please let me know! It is THE dream firm for me

 

[James Wakefield]

Withers Spring VS Offer!!!!! over the moooonnnnn

Did my interview 22/01 and got an email today

Awesome well done!!

 

[trainee4u]

Just got (virtual) AC from Farrer:

Following your performance in the proofreading task, we would like to offer you a place on one of our virtual Assessment Mornings.

We will be holding four Assessment Mornings with around 25 applicants attending each one. From the 100 or so candidates that attend the four Assessment Mornings, we will be selecting 30 to attend one of our three vacation schemes.

We would be pleased if you could join us on an Assessment Morning on . This will start at 10.00 am and finish at about 12.00 pm. There will be an individual written exercise and a group case study exercise (no preparation required although you might find it helpful to look at our online guidance so you know what to expect - https://farrer-co.foleon.com/grad-rec/join-us-brochure/what-can-i-apply-for?overlay=Virtual assessments).

If you are available to join us virtually on this date, please confirm your acceptance as soon as possible and if you require any adjustments. We will then follow up with further details including a Zoom access link.

 

[Andrei Radu]

Hi Amma,

I was wondering what you would recommend to discuss when asked 'why this firm' in an interview? Do you go for particular talking points each time and how in depth would you recommend going?

Just before @Amma Usman can get back to you on this, in interviews, just like in applications, I think you should try to discuss the firm's unique selling points (USPs) - the important features that distinguish them from most other firms. Different firms will have different types of USPs, so you should vary your talking points accordingly. However, I find that particular talking points tend to be more persuasive than others; in that certain features of firms have a more direct and profound impact on people's training contract experience at a firm.

For me, those tended to be points around firm's practice areas focus, strengths, and expertise (which I would evidence using market recognition in the form of rankings/awards rather than past mandates). This is because the work done by the different practice can vary greatly; thus, it naturally matters a lot to go to a firm specializing in (or at least offering a seat in) the type of work you are most interested in. Building on that, it also matters a lot if the firm does or does not have top credentials for its practice. Great market recognition is only possible if the firm has great practitioners, and you should be naturally interested in working with and being mentored by the very best.

 

[Andrei Radu]

I just wanted to thank everyone for the openess on this forum. I am a first year law student and is very helpful.

I did some research on some firms and have a question about written exercise. does this website allow personal message and are members ok with personal contact to ask questions? I am sorry I only found this forum recently so i am trying to go through more pages a

The website allows for personal messages, but community assistants will normally respond with a message redirecting you to post your query on the forums and will only respond to it there. The reason for that is to make information available to as many people as possible, which means keeping it public. Furthermore, posting on the forums will encourage others to get involved in the conversation as well, thus potentially resulting in more useful advice and input for you.

 

[m.phan]

The website allows for personal messages, but community assistants will normally respond with a message redirecting you to post your query on the forums and will only respond to it there. The reason for that is to make information available to as many people as possible, which means keeping it public. Furthermore, posting on the forums will encourage others to get involved in the conversation as well, thus potentially resulting in more useful advice and input for you.

Thank you for your reply

 

[AlegalA]

Awesome well done!!

Thank you!!

 

[MR10]

anyone done the SPB VI? is it strength based or compentancy based

 

[Moo&mak]

Good afternoon @Amma Usman

Could you please provide tips on discussing a deal during an interview. The deal I really find interesting is more related to sports which is not their main practice but I am more confident discussing it because of my interest.

Do you think that okay or if I should go for another deal.

Also how would you advise on the structure of discussing a deal during an interview.

Thank you

 

[Katy12345]

Rejected post AC for Addleshaw Goddard.

Happy to offer help and advice for anyone with an invite.

This is so incredibly kind @bangarangbass39 i have sent you a message, thank you 🙏